KILMS 2010: Honda’s New Insight Unveiled With RM98,000 Price Tag

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Honda Malaysia) went all out in proving general perceptions wrong by introducing the All-New Insight to the Malaysian market at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2010 (KLIMS 2010).

This newly launched entry hybrid model broke new grounds with its combination of appealing design, practical functions, and a surprisingly low price tag, allowing more Malaysians who desire to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle to do so effortlessly without compromising on style, practicality and most importantly, the bank account.

The new Insight takes over the Civic Hybrid’s place as the cheapest hybrid car in Malaysia with a price tag of only RM98,000 otr including insurance.

Consisting of a 65-kilowatt 1.3liter SOHC i-VTEC engine, a 10-kilowatt electric motor and a newly improved Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that has been made 19% more compact and 28% lighter in size for the All-New Insight, it also features a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy assist technology called the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) to further guide users.

The smaller and more compact IPU has also been relocated to create a 400-litre trunk space that could accommodate up to 3 golf bags; and a 60:40 split back seat that can be folded down flat to give a 584-litre flat cargo load area.

The Insight’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) has also been further enhanced to provide a smoother drive with high torque for rapid performance, a fluid uphill drive, better engine braking and quieter ride.

In his speech at the launch ceremony of All-New Insight, Mr. Shigeru Yamazaki, Director of Honda Malaysia and General Manager of Automobile Business Division at Asian Honda elaborated on the concept of the All-New Insight and said it was conceived to “set the standard for compact cars for a new era”. He added that the development team aimed to develop the Next Era Transportation, to create a vehicle that helps building the bridge from the automobiles of today to the ultimate mobility of the future, which will not require any fossil fuel.

Honda Malaysia also announced that the warranty of the All-New Insight’s battery, which is the driving force of the hybrid’s electric motor, will be extended, on top of the 3-year warranty offered, Honda Malaysia is extending another 2 years to further encourage the use of hybrid vehicles here. Furthermore, Honda Malaysia will be reducing the price of the All-New Insight spare parts, especially its battery by more than 40%.